Special: How do players learn to press indoors?

When ever a team has the ball on the boards the defending team should try and double team.

Set up for the pressing of the ball on the right
Description:
The left and right forward have to stop the ball down the left board and through the middle. The players behind these two players have to man to man mark.



Coaching Points:
When the player on the ball passes the ball to the left defender the blue team can start to press.The right forward has to close down the player on the ball, stopping the ball through the middle, the left forward from blue has to try and cut off the ball back to the white right defender while closing down the player on the ball and the blue defenders have to front mark the white right players, while not allowing the ball to get behind them.
TIP for the defenders to decide if and when to front mark look at the eyes of the player on the ball, if he/she looks to pass the ball to the player your marking step in front, for the rest of the time mark goal side.

Lets practise!

Special: Fitness for Hockey

The following is a Fitness and Training programme for Field Hockey, designed not only to get you fit but also stay fit and injury free through out the season.

It may seem a lot, but there is a lot of variety in there to help keep it all interesting. You should tailor make your programme to suit your needs and anticipated level of achievement.

Try to fit these sessions into your daily routine, so they become a habit not a chore. Situps, pushups and stability exercises to develop core stability can be at home after work. Weekly, you should be doing 3 aerobic sessions (road, Leah sessions, etc), 2 home gym sessions and then a sprint session. Stretching should occur prior to every session.

The examples are designed for the Preparation Phase of the season - often refered to as "training to train", this training phase is key to building a base for the start of the season.

Weekly Plan

A day by day program of what each player has to complete has not been provided as each player will have different responsibilities and commitments. It is up to you to look at your work, social and other commitments and schedule the training sessions around these. If you structure your time properly you should be able to schedule the aerobic and weight sessions to follow each other. Try to schedule at least 1 complete day of rest into your training week.

Below is an example of a weekly training plan. This can be manipulated to suit the personal needs of different athletes. Different players will train on different days and some may have games on Wednesdays as well. The plan centres around match days. Green training sessions should be performed on the day prior to a match to ensure the athlete does not suffer from fatigue affecting match day performance. Post match days should be rest or very light days depending on the athletes’ preference. Red days should be followed by green or orange sessions to ensure the athlete does not suffer from over training.



As different positions have different requirements within the game of hockey the type of training sessions will be different. Below is a table to be used as a rough guide for the number of each type of training session to be performed.

Session Type/Numbers p/Week Defenders Midfielders Attackers

Speed 1 1 1-2

Repeated Sprints 2 2-3 1-2

Resistance 1 1 1

Core 0-1 0-1 0-1

Flexibility 0.5 0-1 0-1


NB For the resistance program it is important that you realise that the emphasis is on the mechanics of the movement and not on the weight lifted. It is better that you to do the exercise with minimal weight and do them properly than do them incorrectly. The movement patterns involved are important to your speed strength and co-ordination of body movements on the hockey pitch. As well as a key influence in injury prevention.

Do not be afraid to train twice in one day, however, each session should be a different style. Allow sufficient rest in-between sessions.

Lets practise!

Special: Formations and Tactical Decision Making

Tactical decision making is a key concept that distinguishes physically and skilfully similar teams. The ability of all players to be able to implement the tactics developed off the field and adapt to the changing circumstances of the match are crucial to the success of the team.

What tactics should be employed?
The team should develop tactics that fit the squad as a whole. The coach's philosophy will play a fundamental role it developing the mind set of the side. This will encompass the perceived abilities of each of the players in the squad in order to maximise the strengths and minimise the weaknesses of the side. Going into a match, the tactics should also look to minimise the strengths of the opposition and to exploit any weaknesses.

Formation
The formation is the first stage in implementing the tactics that the coach and squad have decided as the most efficient to achieve a win.

The European Sweeper System is a naturally fluid one; currently played by the majority of the leading league clubs and national teams.

The success of the system depends on the ability and fitness of the 3 midfield players, who support the 3 strikers when required in attack as well as providing cover and support when needed in defence. This leaves the sweeper free to cover any player or pass that penetrates the defence and also be free to move forward and provide an extra player in attack.

The 5-3-2. This framework reflects a structure that has 5 forwards, 3 half backs, 2 backs, and goalkeeper, it is very similar to structures often described as 3-3-4 or 3-3-3-1.

The Diamond formation provides stability in midfield. The spine of the team is the key to this formation, and aims to create space out wide. The wide defenders act as wing backs, and should be encouraged to attack the flanks for a more attack-minded outlook. The Diamond shaped midfield encourages zonal defence and promotes extended interlinking play. This formation requires thorough communication between all players to maintain a tight defence. The midfielders provide support to the defence, whilst at the same time providing the basis for attack. The low and high central midfield players extend the depth of the team so that there is an easier transition between defence and attack.

Which formation is best?
The best formation for your team should take into account each player's individual strengths and the team's strengths and weaknesses. Forwards with exceptional individual skill and a weaker defence might push a case for reinforcing the defence and leaving the forwards more isolated in the Diamond formation. A side that has a strong defence yet is not scoring may consider the 5-3-2 formation to overload the opposition defence.

Subscribe for the full article on the merits of different press techniques and how to exploit an opposition press for attacking options.

Presses
Presses are used to put pressure on the opposition to dictate the flow of the game by restricting the opposition's options, with the aim to force mistakes and therefore a turnover in possession. The key concept is to shape the press to force the opposition into predetermined areas of the pitch where the opposition are weaker, or that the pressing team can control. This requires reaction to the changing nature of the game, and individual's strengths on the pitch.

The correct press requires an instant appreciation of the situation on the pitch, the flow of the game and the strengths of the opposition. A press that worked well a few moments ago may be inappropriate in the new situation.

A defensive press can quickly be turned into an attacking opportunity should the ball be intercepted, enabling attacking from high positions and from deep.

In order to set an efficient press, the players have to understand the role of each player in the press, the lines of running, the angles of potential passes and deflections, and the movement required to be made to set a second phase press following a successful pass being completed by the opposition.

Additionally, the weaknesses of the press need to be identified - the spaces within the press and behind the press, and the effect of lead runs, deflections and aerials. These concepts apply equally for setting presses to try to eliminate weaknesses, and for breaking down the opposition's press.

The Tactical Approach
The tactical approach chosen for the season will take some getting used to. The players need time to adapt to the new concepts both individually and and as a unit. Given time and practice, adapting the formation and tactics employed to suit the squad will bring with it success.

Coaching point:
* Setting a press, the opposition should be forced high and wide, away from danger areas and into areas of the pitch identified as capable of being squashed in order to break down play and recover possession to launch a counter-attack
* Breaking down an opposition press, the aim should be to shift the press and to stretch it so that gaps can appear to be exploited. Aerials, deflections, and short passes can be used to defeat the press. However, the best method is to take the set piece as soon as possible before the press has been correctly set.

Lets practise!

Special: Games Related Drills

In this edition I will show some practices to improve the players drills.

Game related Drills
Attacking the circle

Description
Players 1 and 2 play a 2 v 1 against the first defender, before then moving on to the second defender. They then run into the circle and try and score. Players 3 and 4 go into the circle to help with rebounds.

Rotation, players 1 and 2 become the rebounders.

Coaching Points
To start with restrict the one defender to defend outside
23m area and one between 23m line and circle
Players do not need to pass to beat the defender.

Change the Point of Attack

Description
2 teams both with a ball. The object is for one of the wingers to get to the back line without being tackled. For a tackler to be released by the other team, the tackler has to receive and leave the ball in the coned area.

When one of the wingers is threatened the team should try and change the point of attack by passing the ball via every player to the other side. To release the other tackler, the ball has to be passed via sweeper.

Lets practise!

Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 7 Review

Zeller goal delivers gold for Germany

Germany edged past Spain 1-0 at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Saturday, August 23, to win gold in Men's Hockey.

It was a typical German performance marked by a strong midfield and a stronger defense that choked Spain after Christopher Zeller scored the only goal of the match in the 16th minute.

The super efficient Germans broke Spanish hearts by winning the final and the gold medal by the narrowest of margins. Only Zeller's penalty corner conversion separated the teams, but there was no doubt about Germany's dominance.

Germany won the Olympic gold medal for the first time in 16 years while Spain took silver, which it also won at the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games and the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.

Australia ran over the Netherlands in the bronze medal match, winning 6-2 after scoring three straight goals to open the competition. Two 21-year old debutants, Eddie Ockenden and Des Abbott starred for Australia -- Ockenden scored three goals and Abbott one.

The Netherlands were left gasping and although they showed some spirit by narrowing the score at 3-2, the Aussies were unstoppable.

Australia, gold medalists at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, have now finished in the medals for the fifth Olympics in a row. The Athen's silver medalist Dutch return home without a medal for the first time since the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Great Britain achieved their best since winning the gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Games, finishing in fifth place after a 5-2 defeat of the Republic of Korea (ROK), the 2006 Asian Games champions.

Jonty Clarke of Great Britain topped the scorers list in the match with two goals while Barry Middleton, Ashley Jackson and Glenn Kirkham added one apiece. The ROK reply came from Jang Jong-hyun and Hyun Hye-sung off penalty corners.

Korea, silver medalists at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, improved on their eighth place finish at the Athens Games, by finishing sixth.

China beat South Africa 4-3 in extra time to finish 11th in the tournament. Skipper Song Yi yet again played the lead role with three penalty corner conversions, including the match-winner in the second half of extra time. Na Yubo scored the other goal for the home team while South Africa fought hard and did well to tie and force extra time after being down 3-1. Lungile Tsolekile, Ian Symons and Austin Smith scored for South Africa.

Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 7 Preview

World champions Germany play Spain for Hockey gold

Hockey world champions Germany will hope to add Olympic gold to their collection when they play Spain for the Men's gold medal at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Saturday, August 23. Australia and the Netherlands will clash in the bronze medal match.

The gold medal match will be a case of Spanish flair versus German efficiency. Spain will hope it will be third time lucky after finishing with the silver medal at the Moscow Games in 1980 and the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

Spain has the talent, the ability and character to upstage world champions Germany and they showcased all three attributes beating Australia 3-2 in the semifinal after being down 0-2.

Germany, although winning the Pool A encounter 1-0 which put their campaign back on track, could find the going far more difficult. They will need to be much sharper in attack than they were against the Netherlands in the semifinal, which they won on penalties, though their tight defense should bring them few concerns.

The bronze medal match will be between the Netherlands and Australia. The teams also met in a medal match at the Athens Games, in which Australia beat the Dutch to take gold. The first meeting between these two teams in the preliminary round ended 2-2, but this time, with a medal at stake, the match won't end in a draw.

The Dutch will be keen to avenge the Athens defeat and provide fitting farewells for goalkeeper Guus Vogels, midfielder Teun de Nooijer and skipper Jeroen Delmee, all probably playing their fourth and last Olympics.

South Africa will face China in the classification 11-12 match -- the first match of the day. A contest between two evenly matched sides, but for the Chinese team, making their debut in the Men's competition, the tournament has been a learning experience. China earned one point in the preliminary round from a draw with New Zealand. South Africa, despite losing all of their five matches in pool B, showed improvement in the latter part of the competition.

The Republic of Korea and Great Britain will meet in the classification 5-6 match. Both teams had their chances to finish higher but brief moments cost them precious points in their pool matches. Great Britain came through qualifying competition with two wins and two draws and, with some luck, could have made the top four.

Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 6 Review

Spain to meet Germany for Hockey gold medal

Spain and Germany fought back from the brink of defeat to set up the gold medal match in the Men's Hockey competition at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Thursday, August 21. World champions Germany, trailing by a goal four minutes from the end, overcame the Netherlands 4-3 in the penalty shootout after the sides drew 1-1. Spain went 2-0 down against defending champions Australia but fought back brilliantly to snatch a 3-2 win in the second semifinal.

The Spaniards, seeking their maiden gold medal, showed character after conceding goals in the first minute of both halves. Des Abbott and Eddie Ockenden gave Australia a 2-0 lead, but had no answer to the individual brilliance of Spanish forwards, Eduard Tubau, who scored twice to equalize, and Santiago Freixa, who netted the match-winner two minutes from time.

In the other semifinal, Germany's goalkeeper Max Weinhold emerged as the hero as he saved three attempts during the shootout. The victory was also Germany's first Olympic win against the Dutch since Tokyo 1964 and gives Germany its first entry into the final since Barcelona 1992, where they won the gold medal.

Taeke Taekema, the hero of many a Dutch win, was the culprit as he failed to convert in sudden death. Timme Hoyng scored for the Dutch in the 66th minute and Philipp Zeller of Germany equalized two minutes later to force extra time.

The teams tied 3-3 during the penalty tie-breaker as Weinhold of Germany and Dutch goalkeeper Guus Vogels of Netherlands made two saves each before Weinhold's decisive third stop.

The first match of the day had Belgium and Canada battling for ninth and 10th spots. Belgium thrived in the wet conditions and outplayed Canada 3-0 with Belgium's Jerome Dekeyser scoring twice and John Dohmen once to finish a creditable ninth. Canada ended their campaign on a disappointing note in 10th spot, with a missed penalty stroke from Wayne Fernandes of Canada not helping their cause.

Both teams finished in the same positions as they did the last time they participated in the Olympics. Belgium last participating in the Olympics at Montreal 1976 while Canada competing at the 2000 Sydney Games.

New Zealand beat Pakistan 4-2 in the Classification 7-8 match. Pakistan finished the Olympics in eighth, their lowest position in 15 Olympic appearances, after the loss to New Zealand. Hayden Shaw of New Zealand converted two penalty corners, while his compatriot Simon Child and Gareth Brooks were also on target for the Kiwis. Pakistan, after missing many chances in the first half, improved in the second half as Syed Abbas Haider Bilgrami and Rehan Butt scored.